‘It just doesn’t make sense’: Madlanga tears into Hawks’ Phuti Mashala over R1m robbery probe blunders - IOL

Hawks warrant officer Phuti Mashala explained how the unit fumbled the investigation into the R1.5 million robbery in Johannesburg.

Madlanga Commission chairperson Justice Mbuyiseli Madlanga has blasted Hawks detective Phuti Mashala, dismissing his explanation for a series of investigative blunders in a R1.5 million robbery case as nonsensical.

Madlanga was critical of Mashala's decision to disclose sensitive investigative information to a police inspector whom he already suspected of being involved in the alleged robbery of businessman Nawazish Ali Raja.

The exchange unfolded on Friday as the commission examined the conduct of Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers, including Eric Mphahlele, who was accused of taking R1.5 million from Raja during a roadside stop in August 2023.

“You are supposed to be a specialised branch of the police, aren’t you?… You are defeating the very purpose of what you sought to achieve. It just doesn’t make sense at all to me,” Madlanga asked if it made sense to him.

According to Raja's account, Mphahlele stopped his grey Mercedes-Benz while he was travelling with his wife and demanded to know whether he had a firearm.

The officer subsequently accused him of speeding before requesting permission to search the vehicle.

Raja said the officer searched the boot before opening a rear passenger door, where he discovered a large black bag containing R1.5 million in cash.

The businessman explained that the money was intended to purchase stock and said he had evidence of its source.

Instead of proceeding to a police station as expected, Raja alleged, Mphahlele took the bag and instructed him to follow the JMPD vehicle.

Raja said the officer later changed the destination from Booysens Police Station to Johannesburg Central Police Station.

As traffic became congested, the JMPD vehicle drove in the yellow lane and eventually disappeared from his sight.

During the incident, Raja also allegedly heard Mphahlele speaking to a woman on the telephone, telling her that he had found the money.

Investigators subsequently identified the woman as Inspector Immaculate 'Emma' Phakoane, Mphahlele's supervisor.

Mashala told the commission that he suspected Phakoane was directly involved because of her telephone communications with Mphahlele before and during the incident.

But the Hawks' handling of the investigation became a major stumbling block.

Mashala and Captain N.J Tauatswala allegedly made the first misstep by informing Mphahlele that he was wanted in connection with the robbery.

On August 14, 2023, the detectives met Mphahlele at a Sasol garage. During the meeting, the JMPD officer allegedly offered them R250,000 to make the case docket disappear.

The investigators also informed Phakoane about their planned entrapment operation, despite Mashala's suspicion that she was involved.

Madlanga demanded to know why Mashala would expose the operation to someone he believed was compromised.

Mashala conceded that telling her might have been a mistake, explaining that investigators had believed she shared their understanding.

“That’s a very glaring mistake by Hawks detectives,” Madlanga said, questioning the conduct of specialised officers.

He said the investigators had effectively defeated the purpose of what they were trying to achieve.

“All of this ends up being totally inconclusive. And in my book, I would say you were responsible for that,” Madlanga told Mashala.

He added that the investigation appeared to have come to nothing.

“It might be where we lost it wrong; we got it wrong there. It might be where we made a mistake in telling her,” Mashala responded.